April 27, 2024 THREE Birthdays and a MILLION Laughs

My heart is full of joy! Anytime that my '3 babies', their mates, and the grands can be together, is like..... "Oh could we just stop the clock, savor each moment, laugh, and hug lots?"  Saturday April 27, 2024 our family not only celebrated King Ron's 77th birthday.......

.....we also included Katelyn, May 4, and Lauren, May 14. (Katelyn will be 11 and Lauren will be 37)

Wouldn't you just know it...........Lauren planned a little craft session, before snacks and dinner!

The next time we are entertained at Lauren and Andrew's new house.........we will have our own personalized coasters! What a fun thing to do!!!

Anyone who knows our family, knows that we take a kazillion photos with our phones🤣🤣🤣, so here are a few, before dinner poses:

We have some super-duper chefs in our family! Each family always brings a dish or two, and we indulge in a feast... and one that is fit for a king! The 3 youngest members had their own special table!

Happy Birthday was sung🎶, candles blown out, and the cake was served!

Birthday presents were exchanged....... it was kinda like Christmas morning🤣.  The traditional CARD was passed down to RON. OH THIS CARD......... has soooooooo many stories to tell, and sooooooo many years to celebrate. I THINK THE CARD was birthed in 2006.  

Read all about the card here:  THE CARD

The sun was setting, and the young ones wanted to be back outside to include a marshmallow roast on the firepit, and jumps in the pool.

It was 3 birthdays  to remember!.....and a MILLION LAUGHS!🤣❣️🤣❣️🤣❣️

March 13, 2024~ Myakka River State Park

 

Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's largest, oldest, and diverse natural areas. Birding, hiking, canoeing, leisurely enjoying a tram ride through the fertile marshes, boat tours, available campsites, bike and canoe rentals, picnic area, Lazy Gator Cafe......... this 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands is worthy of a visit. BEWARE OF ALLIGATORS!!!!! (State Road 72, Sarasota, FL)

I don't think I would be crazy enough to ever want to photograph wildlife in this muck below!!!!

We enjoyed walking over the bridge to the lookout point. The weather was perfect, few crowds, and NO MISQUITOES.

Yes, LOTS of alligators! (Photos were taken with my LONG LONG lens!😁)

March 13, 2024~Sarasota, South Florida National Cemetery

 *Florida has nine National Cemeteries, all part of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. The VA's National Cemetery Administration maintains 155 national cemeteries in 42 states and Puerto Rico. The largest military cemetery in the US is, of course, Arlington National Cemetery, containing over 400,000 headstones and spans 639 acres. 

The cemetery is open to the public daily. Here, within the cemetery, sets a 2,800-seat outdoor amphitheater that holds scheduled events throughout the year. Patriot Plaza was dedicated on June 28, 2014. 

"The Plaza features commissioned art that honors veterans, inspires patriotism , and embraces freedom."

The entire cemetery was one of peace and reflection. "The interment area provide for nearly 15,200 casket gravesites, including 14,800 pre-placed crypts, 8,600 in ground cremains and 7,200 columbarium niches." 

What a reminder of ultimate sacrifice this 295-acres provided.

Indeed, our nation's heroes!

Take a moment to say "THANK YOU" as you watch my 18 second video below.

If you are in the Sarasota area, stop by for an hour or two.

March 11, 2024~ Venice Audubon Rookery, Florida

Birdwatching, bird photography, special friends and 75 degrees...... what more could you ask for!

The Venice Audubon Rookery Park allows visitors to view wildlife from benches in the shaded pavilion or walk around the small pond. The park is open to the public from dawn to dusk.

Our visit was a 'first time experience' for both Ron and me.

The nesting season (December through May) is the busiest time but visitors can observe wildlife year round. 

Alligators patrol the lake, keeping predators away from the birds. The bird selection for photography purposes was not numerous, but the experience in setting up, using my tripod, and focusing on the birds was tremendous!